NEWS

9Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Barcelona ranked second most valuable football team in the world

New Barcelona signing Hector Bellerin signs his new contract with Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, during his unveiling as a FC Barcelona player at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on September 06, 2022 in Sant Joan Despi, Spain.Although Forbes magazine is not heavily invested in European football, its report on the finances of European clubs is often a talked-about subject in the world of football. In its customary annual report on the top 50 most valuable sporting clubs across the world, Forbes has listed a number of football teams, including the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea, among many others. Although not even one of the football teams make it to the top ten, Real Madrid have been labelled as the most valuable football team, with a valuation of around $5.1 billion. I...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Montpellier loses 3-1 against Lille as Germain sees red

Lille's Portuguese defender Tiago Djalo (L) fights for the ball with Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi (R) during the French L1 football match between Montpellier Herault SC and Lille OSC at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, southern France on September 4, 2022.Already struggling with 11 players, Montpellier was undone by the sending off of Valere Germain just before half-time and slumped to a 3-1 home loss against Lille in the French league on Sunday. Depleted by injuries and suspensions, Montpellier struggled throughout the first half at La Mosson stadium but was lucky to open the scoring against the run of play after 20 minutes when Elye Wahi used a clever lob to beat goalkeeper Leo Jardim. Before that, Lille hit the woodwork twice and dominated proceedings. The northern side kept...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Mbappé scores twice in PSG win but Vitinha injured

Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Ligue 1 match between FC Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade de la Beaujoire on September 3, 2022 in Nantes, France.Kylian Mbappe scored twice from Lionel Messi assists as Paris Saint-Germain won at Nantes 3-0 to remain leader of the French league on Saturday. The French champions were dealt a blow, however, just three days before facing Juventus in the Champions League by Vitinha’s apparent knee injury. The Portuguese midfielder was forced off the pitch in the 33rd minute after falling on the turf following a late tackle from Fabio. The Nantes defender received a red card for the recklessness. Vitinha appeared to be a doubt whether he could recover in time for Tuesday’s match against the Seri...

3Sep

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

PSG to pay UEFA USD 10 million for breaches of Financial Fair Play rules

Christophe Galtier answers journalists during a press conference at the PSG training center on September 02, 2022 in Paris, France.Paris Saint-Germain must pay 10 million euros (USD 10 million) for breaking UEFA financial rules, with seven other clubs also punished for overspending since 2018. UEFA said its club finance investigators ordered prize money from European competitions totalling 26 million euros to be withheld from the eight clubs sanctioned under Financial Fair Play rules. A further 146 million euros in total punishments could be imposed if the clubs fail to meet financial targets in the next three to four years they have agreed to in settlement deals, UEFA said. PSG will have the biggest amount deducted from Champions League prize money this season. A group of Italian clubs we...

3Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Dest on Milan move: I need to play before WC

02 Segino Dest of FC Barcelona during the second leg quarter finals of Europa League match between FC Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt at Camp Nou Stadium on April 14, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.United States defender Sergino Dest is hoping to get more playing time ahead of this year’s World Cup in Qatar after joining Serie A champion AC Milan on transfer deadline day. Milan also has the right to buy Dest from Barcelona at the end of the season-long loan deal for €20 million ($19.9m). “I need to get minutes for the World Cup. I need to play. Not only for the World Cup, I just want to play always,” Dest said in an interview with Milan TV on Friday. “They [Milan] gave me a great opportunity. So I didn’t even think twice. I was like: I have to do it. I want to play. So it was an easy decision ...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Ligue 1: PSG perfect record ended by Monaco, Alexis Sanchez on target in Marseille win

Neymar Jr of PSG, Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco (left) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco (ASM) at Parc des Princes stadium on August 28, 2022 in Paris, France.Neymar scored from the penalty spot but Paris Saint-Germain’s perfect start to the French campaign was ended in a 1-1 draw with Monaco on Sunday, while Alexis Sanchez scored his first goals for Marseille in a 3-0 win at Nice. In Paris, Neymar rolled in his eighth goal in five matches this season from a penalty awarded when the VAR alerted the on-pitch referee to a foul on the Brazilian by Monaco defender Guillermo Maripan midway through the second half. Monaco had taken the lead when Kevin Volland burst forward, holding off Presnel Kimpembe, before firing past Gianluigi Donnarumm...

27Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Lille bounce back with victory at Ajaccio

Lille's Turkish midfielder Yusuf Yazici (C)celebrates with teammates after scoring a first goal for his team during the French L1 football match between AC Ajaccio and Lille at Stade Francois Coty in Ajaccio on the French Mediterranean Island of Corsica on August 26, 2022. Lille have bounced back from a humiliating home thumping by Paris St Germain to win 3-1 at newly promoted Ajaccio for their second win of the Ligue 1 season. Yusuf Yazici's breathtaking volley gave the visitors a 17th-minute lead on Friday and was followed by strikes from Jonathan Bamba near half-time and defender Tiago Djalo midway through the second period. Jonathan David's late penalty hit the post to deny Lille a fourth goal after they had been handed a 7-1 home drubbing by champions PSG last Sunday. Cy...

26Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Pépé looks to boost flagging career with a loan move to Nice

Nicolas PEPE of Nice during the UEFA Europa League Conference between Nice and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Allianz Riviera on August 25, 2022 in Nice, France.When Arsenal broke the bank to buy Nicolas Pépé from Lille it was with the hope that he would lead the London side back to the top of the Premier League. So it is ironic that the player signed for 80 million euros ($89 million) has left to join Nice on a season-long loan, with Arsenal now atop the Premier League after a perfect start. That’s far from the case for coach Lucien Favre's Nice side, which has picked up only two points from three games and is in 16th place ahead of Sunday’s home game against unbeaten Marseille, which is third. Favre's side has mustered only two goals so Pépé could be thrust straight into the starting lineu...

26Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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West Ham storm into Conference League group stage; Zurich edge Hearts in Europa League playoffs

Tomas Soucek of West Ham United scores the 0-3 goal against Goalkeeper Lucas Lund Pedersen of Viborg FF during the UEFA Conference League Playoff 2nd Leg match between Viborg FF and West Ham United at Energy Viborg Arena on August 25, 2022 in Viborg, Denmark. West Ham shrugged off their dismal Premier League start to ease into the Europa Conference League group stage on Thursday with a 6-1 aggregate rout of Viborg in their play-off tie. Already 3-0 up from last week’s first leg in London, West Ham secured victory with £30 million striker Gianluca Scamacca, Algerian international Said Benrahma and Czech star Tomas Soucek on target in Denmark. The English side were barely threatened but goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had to be alert with a double save to keep out Jay-Roy Grot and Justin L...

25Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Newcastle United escape League Cup shock, Luis Sinisterra stars for Leeds United

Chris Wood of Newcastle United scores their team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Tranmere Rovers and Newcastle United at Prenton Park on August 24, 2022 in Birkenhead, England. Big-spending Newcastle survived a shock when they had to come from a goal down to defeat fourth-tier Tranmere 2-1 in the League Cup second round on Wednesday. Elliott Nevitt gave Tranmere the lead before Jamaal Lascelles levelled before half-time. Chris Wood headed in the Newcastle winner in the 52nd minute to set-up a home third round clash against Premier League rivals Crystal Palace. Leeds put out third division Barnsley 3-1 with Colombian international Luis Sinisterra scoring his first goal for the Premier League side since his £22.5 million move from Feyenoord. He ...

24Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Adams brace and Ballard debut goal as Southampton defeat Cambridge United in EFL Cup

Che Adams of Southampton celebrates after scoring their side's second goal with Stuart Armstrong during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Cambridge United and Southampton at Abbey Stadium on August 23, 2022 in Cambridge, England. CHE Adams hit a second brace in successive games before 17-year-old debutant Dom Ballard finished League One opposition Cambridge United in the second round of the EFL Cup. The Scottish international scored in both halves, following his double to win the match at Leicester City on Saturday, before magic Ballard continued his fine scoring form into the first-team to seal a 3-0 win. Saints awarded three first-team debuts to their most promising of academy youngsters – Lewis Payne, Dom Ballard and Diamond Edwards – after their involvement in the under-18s ti...

22Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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PSG destroy Lille 7-1 in French league

Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates his second goal with Sergio Ramos and teammates during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on August 21, 2022 in Villeneuve d'Ascq near Lille, France. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) thrashed Lille 7-1 in a French Ligue 1 match Sunday as its star forward Kylian Mbappe netted the earliest goal in the league’s history. It took only eight seconds before PSG scored the opener. After a long and classy through ball by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, Mbappe chipped the ball over Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim to make it 1-0 for the visitors at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Messi doubled the gap in the 27th minute with a right-footed finish. PSG’s Moroccan player Achraf Hakimi made it 3-0 in the 39th minu...

21Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Monaco’s Takumi Minamino frustrated after league debut loss to Lens

Takumi MINAMINO of Monaco warms up prior to the French Ligue 1 Uber Eats soccer match between AS Monaco and RC Lens at Stade Louis II on August 20, 2022 in Monaco, Monaco. Takumi Minamino was left ruing missed chances after making his French first-division debut for Monaco in a 4-1 loss to Lens on Saturday. The Samurai Blue attacker could not capitalize on either of two good first-half opportunities and largely struggled to make an impact from the left of the midfield in manager Philippe Clement’s 4-4-2 formation. Minamino received a cross in scoring position in the fourth minute but did not get a shot away after controlling the ball on his chest. With Monaco trailing 1-0, he made a close-range attempt from a scramble in the area but was blocked by Lens keeper Brice Samba. “If I could have...

19Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Luis Suarez gives advice to Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez following red card

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on August 06, 2022 in London, England.Record Liverpool signing Darwin Nunez has made the headlines this week in England after he was sent off, losing his temper and headbutting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen. Nunez was criticised roundly for the incident and it won’t have helped that Liverpool failed to win the match, drawing 1-1. Since the Uruguayan striker has apologised and promised that it won’t happen again. Another former Liverpool forward from Uruguay was on hand to advise him though too. Speaking to Telemundo in a conversation carried by Marca, Luis Suarez explained he had got in touch with Nunez after the incident. “With what happen...

17Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Ligue 1 club interested in out-of-favour Arsenal star

Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on August 12, 2022 in St Albans, England.According to reports, French club OGC Nice are interested in pursuing a loan deal for out-of-favour Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe. Foot Mercato have reported that talks between the Ligue 1 side and the player’s agents have taken place, with the Ivory Coast international said to be open to the move. Pepe signed for Arsenal in 2019 from LOSC Lille under Unai Emery, breaking the club-record transfer fee of £72million (Transfermarkt). The forward still hasn’t made an appearance this season, with Bukayo Saka favoured over the Ivorian on the right-wing. However, Pepe had made early appearances during the Gunner’s pre-season camp, although it soon became apparent that he was not Mikel Arteta’s f...

17Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Elon Musk tells Twitter ‘I’m buying Manchester United’

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., appears via video link during the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.Billionaire Elon Musk has admitted a tweet about buying Manchester United was part of a “long-running joke.” The Tesla founder made reference to United in a late-night tweet. Musk wrote: “To be clear, I support the left half of the Republican Party and the right half of the Democratic Party! “Also, I’m buying Manchester United ur (sic) welcome.” His post quickly garnered a lot of attention, receiving more than 36,000 retweets and almost 200,000 likes within a couple of hours. But, responding to Tesla owners asking if he was serious, Musk tweeted in reply: “No, this is a long-running joke on Twitter. I’m not buying any sports teams.” United have ...

12Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Benzema, Courtois, De Bruyne shortlisted for UEFA Men’s Player of Year award

Real Madrids Karim Benzema celebrates at the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois, and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne are the final three nominees for the 2021-22 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award, the governing body of European football said on Friday.“The winner will be named – along with the UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Player and Coach of the Year – during the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Istanbul on Thursday 25 August,” UEFA said in a statement.Skipper Benzema, 34, led the Spanish club to their record 14th Champions League title last season, scoring 15 goals.He was named ...

12Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

FIFA moves World Cup start in Qatar up 1 day to Nov. 20

02 April 2022, Qatar, Al Rayyan: A building complex with offices, stores and cafes in the shape of the number 2022 stands on the access road to the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan near Doha. FIFA has formally moved the World Cup start up by one day to give host nation Qatar an exclusive Sunday evening slot with a global audience. Qatar will now play Ecuador in Doha on Nov. 20 just 101 days after FIFA’s decision stretching the World Cup to 29 days from the 28 agreed seven years ago when a June-July tournament was pushed back to avoid the searing desert heat in midsummer. The surprise late switch was signed off by a FIFA committee comprising its president Gianni Infantino and presidents of the six continental soccer bodies. FIFA said the vote was unanimous. The plan was revealed W...

12Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Shakira’s ex Gerard Pique secretly dating PR student ‘for months’

Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RD Mallorca at Camp Nou Stadium on May 1, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. Shakira’s ex-boyfriend Gerard Pique has been secretly dating a PR student for months now even though he only parted ways with the singer in June this year as per recent reports.The Barcelona FC footballer, 35, has been seeing a 23-year-old PR student, Clara Chia Marti, who he reportedly met while she was working for his production company Kosmos.An insider close to Marti told The Sun that the lovebirds have been keeping their romance low-key but people around them know about their relationship. “Gerard and Clara have been seeing each other for months. She is a student who also works for him in his office, organising events,” the source told the ...

10Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

QPR boss Beale disappointed to bow out of Carabao Cup

Queens Park Rangers' Tyler Roberts (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup, first round match at The Valley, London. Picture date: Tuesday August 9, 2022. QPR boss Mick Beale was disappointed to see his side go out of the Carabao Cup at Charlton Athletic on Tuesday. An 80th-minute goal from Tyler Roberts looked to have secured victory at The Valley, but the hosts hit back through Aaron Henry in the last minute of normal time. And after the first-round tie went straight to penalties, Stefan Johansen saw his opening effort saved by Joe Wollacott, with Charlton going on to win the shoot-out 5-3. "I don't think we deserved to go through, Charlton were much better than us in the first half, we made a really slow start," Beale told qpr.co.uk. "We imp...